CURRENT MESSAGES
Monday, June 24th, 2013
Tuesday, June 25th, 5SH POINTS DAY:
If your child wants to get wet on points day they must (no exceptions) have the following:
5SH FAMILY FINALE - Wednesday, 6/26/13 from 8-8:30 :
Let's do something where families bring in different items based on their last names. Due to hot weather, I will allow juice, but I am hoping people will be careful about not spilling on work or the floor so it doesn't get sticky. As always, if you would prefer to bring something in that's different from what your last name suggests, that is fine. For example, if you don't like coffee but your name begins with T, bring in something else or if you like your coffee in the morning and you like cream in your coffee (like me... hint, hint) then bring in coffee with some half and half. . The poiint is to get together in a relaxed way to see each other and say goodbye before summer vacation. If it's too hot to think about now, don't worry.
If your child wants to get wet on points day they must (no exceptions) have the following:
- a swim suit or shorts and t-shirt that can get wet
- shoes (flip-flops or any kind of shoe) that can get wet
- a change of dry clothes and dry shoes to get into after. If they do not have a change of clothes and shoes, they may not get wet.
- bucket or water gun (NOT high powered)
- I will try to get some extra cups to use to splash each other, but that may not be as satisfying. We will NOT be throwing water balloons.
5SH FAMILY FINALE - Wednesday, 6/26/13 from 8-8:30 :
Let's do something where families bring in different items based on their last names. Due to hot weather, I will allow juice, but I am hoping people will be careful about not spilling on work or the floor so it doesn't get sticky. As always, if you would prefer to bring something in that's different from what your last name suggests, that is fine. For example, if you don't like coffee but your name begins with T, bring in something else or if you like your coffee in the morning and you like cream in your coffee (like me... hint, hint) then bring in coffee with some half and half. . The poiint is to get together in a relaxed way to see each other and say goodbye before summer vacation. If it's too hot to think about now, don't worry.
- A-G Bring Fruit or Fruit Salad or Fruit juice
- H-L Bring Baked Goods (please mark if there are nuts, dairy or eggs in them)
- P-R Milk and Cream and Hot and Cold Cups
- S-W Coffee or Iced Tea
Monday, June 17th, 2013
5SH ALMANAC: This week, as we move toward the end of the year, we will be working on a 5SH Almanack. It will be a 'year book' of sorts to review and reflect upon our year together. Here is the link to the directions:
BRANDEIS STUDENTS: This Thursday, 6/20/13 a group of 8-15 graduate school students from Brandeis University will be visiting our class from 8:45-10:30. They have finished a yearlong internship program in education and are visiting our class because I will be teaching them a course this summer on how to design their own classrooms.
POINTS DAY and FAMILY FINALE: Due to some requests, I have switched the Finale and the Points Day. Our Points Day will now be on Tuesday, June 25th and our Family Finale will be on Wednesday, June 26th. I hope to send home the field trip permission slips tomorrow (Tuesday). The Points Day will not involve water balloons, but it will involve water and perhaps some relay races and games with sponges and other water items. We are voting on the movie we will watch in the next couple of days. The field trip notice is so we can walk to 16 Handles- the Yogurt Shop.
COMMUNITY MEETING: This Friday, 6/21 (Summer Solstice), at 8:15 a.m. will be the final community meeting. It will be hosted by 5H. I believe you will be able to hear 5SH recite, The Landlord's Tale aka The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere.
SUMMER BOOKS AND SUMMER MATH: Ms. Neale and Ms. Laib will be coming into 5SH this week to go over the summer reading and math packets. I am hoping to set up some summer online book groups. In other words, once we get the list of books, students in 5SH will pick some of the same books and have a chance to respond online to their thoughts on the book(s). I am looking to see if I can create a summer reading blog of sorts on our website. Stay tuned.
BRANDEIS STUDENTS: This Thursday, 6/20/13 a group of 8-15 graduate school students from Brandeis University will be visiting our class from 8:45-10:30. They have finished a yearlong internship program in education and are visiting our class because I will be teaching them a course this summer on how to design their own classrooms.
POINTS DAY and FAMILY FINALE: Due to some requests, I have switched the Finale and the Points Day. Our Points Day will now be on Tuesday, June 25th and our Family Finale will be on Wednesday, June 26th. I hope to send home the field trip permission slips tomorrow (Tuesday). The Points Day will not involve water balloons, but it will involve water and perhaps some relay races and games with sponges and other water items. We are voting on the movie we will watch in the next couple of days. The field trip notice is so we can walk to 16 Handles- the Yogurt Shop.
COMMUNITY MEETING: This Friday, 6/21 (Summer Solstice), at 8:15 a.m. will be the final community meeting. It will be hosted by 5H. I believe you will be able to hear 5SH recite, The Landlord's Tale aka The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere.
SUMMER BOOKS AND SUMMER MATH: Ms. Neale and Ms. Laib will be coming into 5SH this week to go over the summer reading and math packets. I am hoping to set up some summer online book groups. In other words, once we get the list of books, students in 5SH will pick some of the same books and have a chance to respond online to their thoughts on the book(s). I am looking to see if I can create a summer reading blog of sorts on our website. Stay tuned.
Monday, June 10th, 2013
COLONIAL FAIR INFORMATION:
REVOLUTIONARY WALK TO BUNKER HILL MONUEMENT, MUSEUM and other REVOLUTIONARY SITES:
POINT'S DAY: This week, 5SH will be confirming what they want to do for our class Point's Day. Points were earned all year for being positive teammates and classmates. Each point equals 1/2 minute of free time. THe class has earned enough points for almost a full day of something they want to do together. On Monday, they will brainstorm ideas and then vote on them on Wednesday after the fair. The options have to be safe, not too far from Driscoll (walking or MBTA) and not too expensive. Points Day is tentatively happening on Wednesday, June 26th, 2013.. If we are going off of Driscoll property, I will send you a field trip form asap.
Based on other Driscoll events, it is possible we will switch the dates and have the Points Day on Tuesday and the Family Finale and Wednesday.
- WHAT: You're invited to the 1781 5th Grade Colonial Fair
- WHEN: This Wednesday, June 12th
- WHERE: The Driscoll THEATRE
- TIME: 8:10 a.m.to 8:50 a.m.
- DETAILS: Students should arrive by 7:45 a.m. to get ready.
- Parents will then come in at 8:10 a.m.
- Breakfast will not be served, so people should eat before or after the fair.
- During the fair, parents can walk around and ask the colonists questions about their trade, families, political beliefs and daily life. Questions to ask the colonists:
REVOLUTIONARY WALK TO BUNKER HILL MONUEMENT, MUSEUM and other REVOLUTIONARY SITES:
- The day after the fair, on Thursday, 6/13/13, the 5th grade will head to Charlestown to see where the battle of Bunker Hill (really Breed's Hill) took place.
- We are doing an interesting program called, Patriots of Color at Bunker Hill. Click Here for more about the program. It is not well known that there was a diverse group of soldiers that day. Click Here for more information.
- If the weather is good, and the commute is smooth, we will also have time to visit other Revolutionary sites along the route.
- Please make sure to pack your child at least one snack, one lunch and two drinks. Children should come dressed for the type of weather that day. Right now it is looking good.
- In order for students and their families to have a better sense of what happened during the battles in the Revolution, I have put more links on our web page. Click Here.
POINT'S DAY: This week, 5SH will be confirming what they want to do for our class Point's Day. Points were earned all year for being positive teammates and classmates. Each point equals 1/2 minute of free time. THe class has earned enough points for almost a full day of something they want to do together. On Monday, they will brainstorm ideas and then vote on them on Wednesday after the fair. The options have to be safe, not too far from Driscoll (walking or MBTA) and not too expensive. Points Day is tentatively happening on Wednesday, June 26th, 2013.. If we are going off of Driscoll property, I will send you a field trip form asap.
Based on other Driscoll events, it is possible we will switch the dates and have the Points Day on Tuesday and the Family Finale and Wednesday.
Week of Monday, 6/3/13
FIELD TRIP NOTICE: By Tuesday, please return the field trip notice for our Colonial Voyage to Bunker Hill. We will be going to Charlestown on Thursday, June 13th. We will climb the monument and go to the museum. We will also go to some other historical sites connected to our history curriculum.
COLONIAL FAIR: On the morning of Wednesday, June 12th, the 5th grade will have our grand Colonial Fair! Students have been doing research and will be making posters and some artifacts in school. They will also be planning what they will wear to the fair and making a 3D object that matches their trade.. We will need some of your help for this. This week we will send home a list of clothing items students will need to get ready for the fair and students will figure out the kind of materials they will need for their 3D object.. We don't want students to buy anything. Amongst our many homes, I am sure we can dig up everything students will need.
8th GRADE MUSICAL: This week on Thursday and Friday morning, and then Friday evening at 6:00 is the 8th grade musical of Charlie Brown. 5th graders will be watching the play at 8:30 a.m on Friday, 6/7/13
COLONIAL FAIR: On the morning of Wednesday, June 12th, the 5th grade will have our grand Colonial Fair! Students have been doing research and will be making posters and some artifacts in school. They will also be planning what they will wear to the fair and making a 3D object that matches their trade.. We will need some of your help for this. This week we will send home a list of clothing items students will need to get ready for the fair and students will figure out the kind of materials they will need for their 3D object.. We don't want students to buy anything. Amongst our many homes, I am sure we can dig up everything students will need.
8th GRADE MUSICAL: This week on Thursday and Friday morning, and then Friday evening at 6:00 is the 8th grade musical of Charlie Brown. 5th graders will be watching the play at 8:30 a.m on Friday, 6/7/13
Monday, 5/26/13
FARM SCHOOL: This week we go to farm school. Here is the link to their webpage:
HSC: The latest HSC is posted- Click Here.
OPTICS: A lot of the latest HSC focuses on our optics unit- there are many sites on our class website that support and explain what we're focusing on. You can click here and look on the optics side of the page.
DONATIONS: We have to decide what to do with the money we raised for the elephants. You can click here to help us decide
In case you can't find the 'What to Bring to the Farm School' sheet. Below is the list we were given.
HSC: The latest HSC is posted- Click Here.
OPTICS: A lot of the latest HSC focuses on our optics unit- there are many sites on our class website that support and explain what we're focusing on. You can click here and look on the optics side of the page.
DONATIONS: We have to decide what to do with the money we raised for the elephants. You can click here to help us decide
In case you can't find the 'What to Bring to the Farm School' sheet. Below is the list we were given.
- A snack and a lunch for the first day
- Reusable water bottle (not plastic)
- 3 sets of old clothes that you dont mind getting very dirty
- 1 sweatshirt and a warm jacket
- boots and/or shoes that can get mucky
- another pair of boots or shoes
- several pairs of socks
- rain gear (students work even if it's raining)
- a hat for the sun
- It says bring a warm hat and mittens, but I'm not sure since forecast is 89 degrees)
- bug spray and sunscreen if you have a favorite kind
- sleeping bag or a top sheet and blanket (bottom sheet provided)
- a favorite pillow (pillows are provided)
- wash cloth and towel
- toiletries- toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, etc.
- at least one book to read during free time
- No cell phones, ipods, or electronic gadgets. No aerosol deodorants.
- Remember all clothes should be considered work clothes since they will get dirty!
Monday, 5/20/13
Latest BLUE SHEET CLICK HERE
- SPRING FAIR- Wednesday, 5/22/13 - Along with the many rides and fun food at the fair, 5SH is making our own very own booth to help raise awareness around the hunting of elephants. They have been making friendship bracelets to sell, brochures, buttons, games and more. We hope all 5SH families will spend a bit of time at the fair to join the community and see their activists in action.
- LAST DAY? Please let me know if your child will not be in school until June 28th, and if that is the case, please let me know the date of your child's last day.
- FARM SCHOOL FORMS: We got everyone's forms! Yeah.
- Intro to Adolescence - When we get back from farm school, we will begin a science unit on 'Intro to Adolescence'. I will send home a letter for parents that explains the unit on Tuesday.
Monday, 5/13/13
Latest BLUE SHEET CLICK HERE
Science Tests 1.- Wednesday, 5/15
Test 2- Thursday, 5/16
- Eyes- As part of our Optics unit, this coming Tuesday or Wednesday, 5SH will be dissecting a sheep's eye. Students are very excited (and a bit trepidatious) and have been asking many questions about the process.
- MCAS. This coming week, we have the Science MCAS Tests
Science Tests 1.- Wednesday, 5/15
Test 2- Thursday, 5/16
- LAST DAY? Please let me know if your child will not be in school until June 28th, and if that is the case, please let me know the date of your child's last day.
- FARM SCHOOL FORMS: We have almost all the farm school forms and checks passed in.. Please let us know if you need new forms or if you have a question.
- FAIR: The Driscoll Fair is Wednesday, 5.22.13 - We are going to set up a "Save The Elephants Booth" at the Fair and sell 5th grader crafts at it. Stay tuned this week for more information.
Monday, May 6th 20135.6..13 BLUE SHEET CLICK HERE
Monday- 5.6.13 - MCAS MATH SESSION 1 Tuesday- 5.7.13- MCAS MATH SESSION 2 Friday- 5.10.13 - Farm School Forms Due! Next week, we have Science MCAS
Driscoll Fair is Wednesday, 5.22.13 - We are going to set up a "Save The Elephants Booth" at the Fair and sell 5th grader crafts at it. The next 3-5 Community Meeting is Friday 5.24.13 Monday, April 29th, 2013 and into May!ANIMAL BOOKS and FOOD WE HAD AFTER THE BREAKFAST!
ANIMAL STORY SHARE: Tuesday morning! Thank you to all the parents who brought such delicious food and thoughtful questions. At the end of the day, I asked students about the highlight of their day, and many students said they liked having parents ask them about their stories and they liked meeting the parents of their classmates. TAXES, SHILLINGS AND BRITISH COLONIES- Click here for details EARLY DISMISSAL: This Thursday, 5/2/13 is an early dismissal for parent conferences MCAS: We are getting ready for the up and coming state math and science MCAS tests. I want students to feel calm and confident while taking the tests - We are focusing on how to eliminate multiple choice questions that are clearly not right and then using their sense of numbers to figure out the answer. We are also working on how to write open response questions by clearly organizing and explaining how the problem was solved. If you want to see samples of questions and student samples from the mcas, you can go to this site: Click Here Monday, April 22nd, 2013Tree blooming near Driscoll- 4/21/13
WELCOME BACK- It's been quite a week. With the events around the marathon- the world as we know it was, in many ways, turned upside-down. Yet, through it all, birds were singing and flowers were blooming. I hope everyone in your family is safe and sound and able to enjoy what is best around us as we get ready to head back to school. I was so glad that we were on vacation on Friday during the lockdown. My own family - dog too- had a bit of cabin fever, but I was relieved and grateful we were all there together and hoping for as much healing as possible for the scores of people who were harmed . In case you are looking for what you might do in your own home to keep things as comforting as possible - CLICK HERE for some information about how to help children cope during times like this. There are other articles too you might find helpful that Riikka Melartin, our school psychlogist sent to the school community. Check for an email sent by Mr. Youkilis to find them in there.
In terms of how much or how little we will discuss the events in 5SH, I am going to use the ideas suggested in the attached article. We will stick to our classroom routines, and if some students would like to voice their questions or concerns during morning meeting they will have a safe place to do this, but we will not linger on the grim details. I will keep the focus on how many people helped each other and followed directions during the week and as a result - there were many positive stories in the midst of the hard times. This really is the focus of our year- solving problems together- seeing how much better we are when we work together. I will let you know if anything comes up during school that might help guide your discussions at home. If you have any questions or comments, do not hesitate to contact me. So... WHAT'S COMING UP?
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SPECIALS:
What's Coming?
May:
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FORMER MESSAGES BELOW
Monday, APRIL 8th, 2013
- OUT OF THE BOX - ARTS EQUINOX. Arts Equinox begins this week. The Theme is OUT OF THE BOX! Here is a link to one of the best little movies I have ever seen. It is called Caine's Arcade -. It says everything about the importance of giving students a chance to create -Click here to see the video. There is a part 2 to the movie on the link that is also wonderful - showing the impact of the first video.
- 5SH GOIING GREEN BASKET OF ACTION- BASKETS HAVE ARRIVED- PICTURE COMING SOON! - CLICK HERE FOR DESCRIPTION - Please start to gather and bring in items for our 5SH GOING GREEN BASKET- Our matte is GIVE ACTION (as opposed to take action)
- EARLY DISMISSAL - This Thursday, April 11th. Students are dismissed at 12:30 pm. Scroll down to see the other early dismissal days. See email with latest confirmations and availability.
- LATEST HOME/SCHOOL CONNECTION-CLICK HERE
- NEW 5SH PHOTOS ADDED: CLICK HERE
- LOOKING FOR: Glue STICKS (the kind that goes in glue guns).
- 5th Grade Animal Story Breakfast - Tuesday, April 30th, 7:30 a.m. - CRAFT FAIR TOO!
Monday, APRIL 1, 2013
- 5SH GOIING GREEN BASKET OF ACTION- CLICK HERE FOR DESCRIPTION
- Early Dismissals begin THIS Week on Wednesday, April 3rd- Students are dismissed at 12:30 pm. Scroll down to see the other early dismissal days.
- 5SH parent conferences begin on the 11th. See email with latest confirmations and availability.
- LATEST HOME/SCHOOL CONNECTION-CLICK HERE
- NEW 5SH PHOTOS ADDED: CLICK HERE
- LOOKING FOR: Glue for glue guns, cardboard, play dough,
- 5th Grade Animal Story Breakfast - Tuesday, April 30th, 7:30 a.m. - CRAFT FAIR TOO!
- Please take note of the confirmed farm school dates
- A NOTE FROM CAROLINE BARNES: Dear Driscoll Families, HAS YOUR CHILD WRITTEN ANYTHING RECENTLY? Submit a poem, short story, essay, or other written work (of no more than 500 words) to be included in the very first issue of komodo, Driscoll's new literary magazine! Spanish and Mandarin also accepted! The anticipated publication date is late May. komodo will make a wonderful keepsake for families. To learn more about komodo, visit the website at http://www.driscollkomodo.weebly.com
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1/7/13
BOOTS: If students want to play in the snow on the field, they must have boots.
URBAN IMPROV!
On Tuesday, January 8th, 29th, February 5th, 12th and 26th, the 5th grade will participate in a great program called Urban Improv. The program uses improvisational theater as a way for students to practice self-expression and decision making skills around topics such as peer pressure, bullying, and stereotyping. Here is a link for more information. http://www.urbanimprov.org
SCIENCE SOLSTICE: On Thursday we had a guest author named Loree Burns who spoke to us about her book Citizen Scientists! See Link HERE: She also spoke to us about her books Hive Detectives and Tracking Trash. Our class was quite curious about why the bees disappeared.. We will have to read that book too. Click here to see her other books: On Friday we had a wonderful day of science! You can see photos from the day if you click here. You will need to use our password.
I posted new photos of our long table day.
WILD TURKEYS: I don't know if you have read news in the TAB about the growing population of wild turkeys in Brookline. It's an interesting (and not always peaceful) development as humans and wild-life meet. On Wednesday, as part of our focus on birds and because turkeys are part of the American culture at this time of year, we watched another Nature Film. (we've been watching one about crows). called, My Life As A Turkey. Here is a little review I took from the producers: The movie is based on a true story, about a
naturalist scientist named Joe Hutto who finds a bowl of wild turkey eggs left on
his front porch. When the chicks
emerged from their shells, they lock eyes with Joe who then becomes an "unusual
but dedicated mother". This movie is set in the Florida which is the site of a historical fiction book we are about to read called, Lost Man's River. In any case, Mr. Hutto spent each day living as a turkey mother, taking on
the full-time job of raising sixteen turkey chicks. He cared for his family
around the clock for almost two years. Kind of hard to believe... The movie is extraordinary - but as a word of caution, it does have some sad parts as some
of the 16 chicks do not make it, and some slightly disturbing parts at the end when we see the wild side of these wild turkeys. I'm hoping you and your children can discuss it in lieu of the regular Home/School Connection. If you are interested, click this link to see it . It’s around 50
minutes long.